Dust flow indicator for suction cleaning devices



Jan. 13, 1942. D. B. REPLOGLE DUST FLOW INDICATOR FOR SUCTION CLEANING DEVICES Filed Feb. 28, 1941 f/WL l .Vnluvu vunnlI -v, -v

managed DUST FLOW INDICATOR FOR SUCTION CLEANING DEVICES Daniel Benson Replogle, Berkeley, Calif., assignor to The Ohio Citizens Trust Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, as trustee Application February 28, 1941, Serial No. 381,200

6 Claims.

The invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to dust detecting indicator for suction pipes of cleaning systems.

In the sweeping operation it is important for the operator to know how much dust is being drawn, at a given instant, from a surface being cleaned toward a source of suction, and accordingly it has been customary to provide a transparent window or the like at some convenient location within the suction pipe system to indicate the quantity of dust in the air stream.

According to the present invention I provide manually controlled means for regulating the direction of flow of dust laden air beneath the transparent window so that the quantity of dust in the stream of air may be more accurately determined than was possible heretofore.

The primary object of the present invention is accordingly to insure a proper indication of the extent to which dust is being collected by the suction nozzle, if at all. Devices heretofore in use for this purpose frequently indicated the passage of dust when actually no substantial quantity of dust was being drawn in through the nozzle so that such so-called indicators were deceptive rather than true guides.

The main purpose of the invention may be divided into the following three parts:

1. Connecting, to a dust suction pipe, a detecting indicator between the suction hose and the extension pipe;

2. Incorporating, in a suction cleaning system, an indicator capable of whirling the dust laden air in either direction and adjusting to a neutral position readily with the thumb so that the indicator will clear itself and thus determine whether or not dust is being had;

3. A device of a kind suitable for passing through it air or any gaseous fluid laden with particles to be detected, in particular the detecting of the presence of insect life, larvae, etc. in the air or in the places to be cleaned to which it may be applied.

According to the present embodiment of the invention I provide in conjunction with a dome shaped window a small deflector located in the path of the dust laden air stream which in its inlet position causes the dust to whirl in one direction beneath the transparent dome but may be manually adjusted by pressing on a thumb lever or the like to bring the deflector first into a position directly in the path of the entering stream in which position no whirling action takes place, and then on further movement of the thumb lever opposite direction takes place. The movement of the thumb piece is preferably opposed by a spring or other means tending to force the deflector back to its normal position.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description in which are set forth an illustrative embodiment of the inventive thought, such embodiment being intended by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of one of my devices as it is ordinarily connected to the suction pipe and suction hose of a system for cleaning.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged and suitable working size of the part of Fig. 1 which represents my device dissociated from the source of suction and the extension tube, part thereof being partly in cross section so as to show more particularly the details of my dust deflecting element in position to be operated by the thumb of the operator or person using the sweeping apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a partial top view of Fig. 2 with the transparent dome removed and showing the dust deflector in its normal working position adapted to throw the dust upward against the dome and clockwise in a whirl.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the transparency or dome used as the cover of the chamber of the device shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a wire detent adapted to surround the chamber and secure the lip of the transparent cover into a sealing connection with the overturned lip extending around the chamber of the device.

Fig. 6 is a detail of the deflecting element attached to a vertical shaft which is adapted to extend downward and receive a tension spring and thumb operating lever of the arrangement.

Fig. '7 is a stirrup, adapted to be screwed to the underwall of the chamber, having an aperture or journal opening adaptedto receive the lower end of the shaft which carries the dust deflector.

Fig. 8 is a spring detent adapted to be secured to the exhaust tube of the device and having a spring or detent and which hooks into a slot in the shaft of the deflector.

Fig. 9 is a thumb operating lever having a square hole adapted to slip over a square projection of the lower end of the shaft of the dust deflector in the assembly of these parts.

Fig. 10 is a screen with one side foreshortened so as to escape interference with the deflector to a position in which whirling movement in the 55 and used in detecting moths, mosquitoes or other matter to be inspected by the operator when the transparent cover is removed.

Referring in detail to the drawing and with particular reference to Fig. 1, the reference numeral Ill indicates a slender suction pipe or tube preferably of fiber or similar light weight material, at the lower end of which there is provided a floor tool or nozzle ll of any suitable construction. At the upper end of the pipe l there is provided an indicator A which embodies the features of the present invention. Extending from the bottom of the indicator is a hollow tube |2 preferably of rigid material and serving as a handle for the cleaner. A hose or the like |3 connects the handle to a suitable source of suction. The cleaner may be moved about the room as desired, the nozzle engaging a floor or other surface to be cleaned. The indicator A may obviously be used in any desired cleaning system, Fig. 1 being merely illustrative of a simple system in connection with which the in dicator may be employed. The indicator is illustrated on an enlarged scale in Figs. 2 and 3.

As shown the indicator A includes a cylindrical casing I4 of metal, plastics or other suitable material, and being provided with an inlet pipe l5 which is connected to the pipe H1 in any suitable manner as, for example, by shrinking the fiber tube over the pipe |5 as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,142,149 dated January 3, 1939. The handle l2 which serves as an outlet pipe connects with an opening in the bottom wall 22 of the casing. The casing is closed at the top by means of a dome shaped transparent window I6 formed of glass, Celluloid, vinyl resin or other suitable transparent material. The casing is provided with a bead II which serves to support the dome and a spring |8 holds the parts in position. A screen l9 formed of wire or other suitable material may be placed over the outlet opening and as shown in Fig. 10 has one side foreshortened so as to escape interference with the deflector 20. This screen is used only in detecting moths, mosquitoes or other matter to be examined by the operator when the transparent cover is removed. Ordinarily the screen is left out of the combination and may be omitted entirely without departing from the basic features of the invention, although its use is desirable for certain purposes as indicated above.

The deflector 2B is located in the path of entering dust laden air and is inclined upwardly so as to deflect dust upon dome H5. The deflector may be formed of any suitable material as metal, plastics or the like. The deflector is provided with a shaft 2| which extends through the bottom 22 of the casing l4 and is adapted to be rotated therein. At a suitable distance below the deflector itself the shaft 2| is provided with an opening or slot 23 adapted to receive a hooked end 24 of a spring 25 which spring is provided at the end opposite the hook with a threaded opening 26 to receive an adjusting screw or bolt 21, the end of which bears against the exterior of the handle |2 as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. Below the opening 23 the shaft 2| is provided with a squared portion 28 adapted to fit a corresponding shaped opening 29 formed at the end of a lever 30 the opposite end of which is twisted at right angles to form a thumb piece 3|. The lower extremity of the shaft 2| is reduced and rounded at 32 and is adapted to fit in an opening 33 in the bottom of a U-shaped bracket 34 having openings 35 to receive screws or the like (not shown) which serve to fasten the bracket and the elements supported thereby to the bottom of the casing.

When assembled the deflector 20 is adjusted by means of the screw 2! 50 as to assume the position shown in Fig. 3 with the rear face of the deflector inclined at an angle to the entering dust laden air, so that the dust and air will be deflected in a clockwise direction in passin through the indicator.

By pressing slightly upon the thumb piece 3| the deflector may be brought directly across the path of the entering air so as to deflect the dust and air upwardly only without any whirling movement about the central axis, the dust passing across the dome and thence to the outlet pipe l2.

By further pressing upon the thumb piece 3| the deflector may be caused to deflect the dust and air in a counterclockwise direction.

On releasing the thumb piece the parts are returned to the position shown in Fig. 3 by reason of the spring action of the member 25.

The arrangement of these parts within the chamber of the device is such that the dust deflector positively turns the dust carrying stream upwards so that the dust which is heavier than air is drawn into a whirl around under the transparent cap. The normal working position shown in Fig. 3 is the ordinary assumed position caused by the detent spring, and the thumb lever is then furthest on its outward swing. In the operation, the operator presses the thumb lever which causes the deflector to square up with the entering stream when there is no whirl and to cause a re-Whirling in the anti-clockwise position following the neutral position. The device is adapted to operate easily and simply and the change from whirling clockwise to anti-clockwise can be repeated rapidly so that the positive and certain clearing of the dust within the chamber is assured. The whole purpose of the device, of course, is to make certain whether or not the operator is getting dust or otherwise.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration but it will be obviou that numerous variations and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It may be noted that dust passing through the transparent pipe is not observable when travelling at the rate usual in the operation of cleaners and an enlarged chamber, such as is provided by the indicator A, has the effect of slowing the motion even in the neutral position of the deflector, and thereby rendering the dust visible, but such dust is rendered more visible by eddying and causing it;to re-travel many times in the same path.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaning system, a dust indicator comprising a cylindrical chamber having an inlet for dust laden air in the cylindrical wall of the chamber and an outlet opening at the bottom thereof, a transparent window located opposite the outlet opening, deflecting means located adjacent the inlet opening adapted to direct air and dust onto the window, and means for angularly adjusting said deflecting means to cause whirling movement of the air about the axis of the cylindrical chamber.

2. In a suction cleaning system, a dust indicator comprising a cylindrical chamber having an inlet for dust laden air in the cylindrical wall of the chamber and an outlet opening at the bottom thereof, a window located opposite the outlet opening, deflecting means located adjacent the inlet opening adapted to direct air and dust onto the window, and means for angularly adjusting said deflecting means to cause whirling movement of the air within said chamber in one direction and resilient means for returning said deflecting means to its initial position. 3. In a suction cleaning system, a dust indicator comprising a cylindrical chamber having an inlet for dust laden air in the cylindrical wall of the chamber and an outlet opening at the bottom thereof, a window located opposite the outlet opening, a deflector located adjacent the inlet opening adapted to direct air and dust onto the window, a thumb piece for angularly adjusting said deflector to cause whirling movement of the air within said chamber in one direction and resilient means for returning the deflector to its initial position. I

4. In a suction cleaning system, a dust indicator comprising a cylindrical chamber having an inlet for dust laden airfin the cylindrical wall of the chamber and an outlet opening at the bottom thereof, a window located opposite the outlet opening, an upwardly inclined deflector located adjacent the inlet opening adapted to direct air and dust onto the window, and a screen covering the outlet opening.

5. In a suction cleaning system, a dust indicator comprising a cylindrical chamber having an inlet for dust laden air in the cylindrical wall of the chamber and an outlet opening at the bottom thereof, a transparent window located opposite the outlet opening, and an upwardly inclined deflector located adjacent the inlet opening adapted to direct air and dust onto the window, wherein the deflector is mounted on a shaft projecting through the bottom of the cylindrical chamber, and means are provided for rotating the deflector about the shaft to deflect the air in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction through the chamber.

6. In a suction cleaning system, a dust indicator comprising a cyhndrical chamber having an inlet for dust laden air in the cylindrical wall of the chamber, and an outlet opening at the bottom thereof, a transparent window closing the top of the chamber, and means located adjacent the inlet opening ff or deflecting the incoming dust and air toward'said window prior to passing through the, outlet, said means being adjustable to cause afwhirling movement in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

DANIEL BENSON REPLOGLE. 

